Here's why:

* Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that dissociates in water to form hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl-).

* Salts are ionic compounds formed by the reaction of an acid and a base.

* When hydrochloric acid reacts with a base, the hydrogen ions combine with hydroxide ions (OH-) from the base to form water (H2O). The remaining chloride ions combine with the positive ions from the base to form the salt.

For example, when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the salt formed is sodium chloride (NaCl).